INTERNATIONAL. US prices to buy gold slipped to two-week lows in London's wholesale trade on Thursday, "falling victim to a strengthening Dollar" as one analyst put it while stock markets and commodities also gave back earlier gains.

The European single currency failed to hold above US$1.3150 for the 3rd day running, dropping despite Madrid successfully auctioning some €5 billion in new Spanish debt.

Prices to buy gold were little changed for Euro investors, holding flat for the day at €41,180 per kilo, despite falling US$10 per ounce to US$1,634 against the Dollar.

"The upside is very heavy because the Euro remains under pressure [vs. the Dollar]," Reuters today quoted Peter Fung at Wing Fung Precious Metals in Hong Kong.

"Weak physical demand isn't helping," he added, saying that a price-drop to US$1,600 would likely encourage traders to buy gold.

"Physical buying out of Asia is strengthening as we approach the Indian Akshaya Tritiya festival beginning 24 April," says Marc Ground at Standard Bank today. But "the pace of demand is not to the extent that we expected."

"No imports of gold have taken place in the last week," said Bachhraj Bamalwa, chairman of the All India Gem & Jewellery Trade Federation, to the Economic Times earlier.

"Demand is lacklustre and there will be hardly any growth in the Akshaya Tritiya period this year."

Considered an auspicious day on the Hindu calendar to buy gold and begin new ventures, Akshaya Tritiya this year sees the Indian Post Office working with the World Gold Council and Reliance Money to offer 6% discounts on gold coins sold through India Post branches.

"The Rupee is weaker than Dollar, which is pushing up prices to buy gold," says a private broker.

"There is an increasing demand for diamonds as it is better preferred by the youngsters," says one jeweler in Hyderabad, speaking to IBN Live.

Over in China, the world's #2 consumer-gold market behind India – and where economic growth slowed for the 5th quarter running between Jan. and March – "The central bank will continue to implement a prudent monetary policy," said a Chinese official to the Xinhua news agency today, "to facilitate a stable and relatively rapid development of the national economy."

Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of Canada, followed Tuesday's no-change decision on monetary policy by telling a press conference yesterday that 1% interest rates are "consistent" with hitting the Bank's 2% annual inflation target, with economic growth forecast at 2.4% in both 2012 and 2013.

"The most sensible thing to do is to take the cheap (free) money and convert it into solid things, like, for example, industrial metals," says an editorial on global monetary policy in Metal Bulletin today.

"That's why the warehouses are full, and why the prices remain firm."

Latest data from the Comex US futures exchange showed a small decrease Wednesday in warehouse stockpiles of silver bullion, but this week's 20-year record "certainly points to plentiful supply on the global silver market," notes Swiss refining and finance group MKS.

"[It's] very likely to block any major price increases in the short-term."

Note: Adrian Ash is head of research at BullionVault, the secure, low-cost gold and silver market for private investors online, where you can buy gold today vaulted in Zurich on US$3 spreads and 0.8% dealing fees.

Please Note: This article is to inform your thinking, not lead it. Only you can decide the best place for your money, and any decision you make will put your money at risk. Information or data included here may have already been overtaken by events – and must be verified elsewhere – should you choose to act on it

MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS COMMENT & ANALYSIS

INTERNATIONAL. Unexpected developments can catch the herd wrong-footed and spark major movements when the masses scatter at the same time. When that occurs, those who resisted the herd may find themselves rewarded. We believe that we are approaching such a point.

INTERNATIONAL. This isn't about Netanyahu and Obama, and both know it. It is about the reconfiguration of a region the US cannot subdue and cannot leave. It is the essence of great power strategy: creating a balance of power in which the balancers are trapped into playing a role they don't want.

INTERNATIONAL. This isn't about Netanyahu and Obama, and both know it. It is about the reconfiguration of a region the US cannot subdue and cannot leave. It is the essence of great power strategy: creating a balance of power in which the balancers are trapped into playing a role they don't want.